Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene was thrilled about reaching his first Test century against West Indies on the second day of the opening Test on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium.

Jayawardene scored 136, his 22nd Test hundred, to lift Sri Lanka to 476 for eight declared in their first innings.

"It means a lot because I missed a hundred against West Indies in Colombo," said Jayawardene.

"I was run out for 98. Getting this was a big one for me, especially away from home. For me, every hundred is a big one, so I celebrate like this."

The innings has now increased Jayawardene's career aggregate to 7,407, the most by any Sri Lankan in Tests, and he is delighted with the way he is batting currently.

"When you play for 10 years, you tend to learn a few things and try and add them to your game," he said.

"You focus a bit more. When you mature, you know your mistakes and try not to make those mistakes, develop a game plan that will suit your strengths and weaknesses.

"The more cricket you play, you tend to learn a few things. I'm in that mode where I'm still trying to learn, trying to challenge myself to be a better cricketer."

Jayawardene acknowledged the pitch was not suitable for stroke-play, and so he felt his side's declaration was timely.

"It was important that we got to 400," he said. "That was a pretty good total on this pitch considering that it is very slow.

"Once the ball is old, it is gets tougher to score runs, and 400 was the milestone for us. That is what we were targetting. We were a bit slow in getting this. I reckon 460 is worth about 550 on this pitch."

Although Sri Lanka seem to hold all the aces, Jayawardene thought it was too early to determine if there would be a result in the match.

" We've done all the hard work, and it's in our hands to make sure we keep putting pressure on the West Indies batsmen," he said.

"They have to make sure they bat for at least two days. We are in a very good position, probably in a position that we cannot lose this Test match. We just need to make sure that we push for a result."

Sri Lanka are aiming to win their first Test match in the Caribbean having lost two and drawn two in their previous four.

The visitors are also eyeing a Test series victory for the first time in the Caribbean.